L.L. Bean is committing another $1 million to help keep the Island Explorer shuttle buses running at Acadia National Park/Friends of Acadia

As Acadia National Park launches into the busy summer season during its centennial year, the park will receive a major boost from L.L.Bean, which on Tuesday will announce a $1 million commitment to Friends of Acadia in support of the Island Explorer bus system.

L.L.Bean’s President and CEO Stephen Smith and Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider are scheduled to formally announce the contribution at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Jordan Pond House. 

The propane-powered, low-emissions shuttles that run throughout the park and surrounding communities carried more than 500,000 riders last summer and have become a vital strategy in alleviating automobile traffic during peak visitation times at the park. L.L.Bean has now donated and pledged more than $4 million toward the Island Explorer since 2002.

“We are pleased to continue our support of the Island Explorer bus system,” said Janet Wyper, manager of community relations for L.L.Bean. “L.L.Bean has deep roots in Maine and a long history of supporting conservation projects.

“It’s a natural fit for our company to sponsor the Island Explorer, which has enabled millions of people to enjoy one of Maine’s and the nation’s greatest natural assets, Acadia National Park, in an environmentally-friendly manner.”

Since 1999, the fare-free bus system has carried more than 6 million passengers, reduced private vehicle trips by nearly 2.3 million, eliminated more than 32 tons of smog-causing pollutants, and reduced more than 21,000 tons of greenhouse gases, according to a Friends of Acadia release.

“The Island Explorer bus system has grown into the most significant innovation in enhancing people’s Acadia experience over the last twenty years,” said David MacDonald, president of Friends of Acadia, “and we could not have done it without a committed partner like L.L.Bean.”

As a result of the company’s contributions, the Island Explorer has been able to extend bus service through Columbus Day each year, and the Bicycle Express service was added in 2005. Four vans and two bicycle trailers have carried more than 164,000 cyclists from the Bar Harbor Village Green to the carriage roads at Eagle Lake since the beginning of the Bicycle Express.

“The Island Explorer makes a huge difference in how people experience Acadia," said Superintendent Schneider. "It dramatically improves visitors’ enjoyment of the park by providing convenient access to trailheads and prime destinations, and by reducing traffic and auto emissions.”

The Island Explorer bus system is managed by another nonprofit partner organization, Downeast Transportation Inc., and the fleet of 30 buses is housed and maintained in a new facility at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton.

Paul Murphy, general manager of Downeast Transportation Inc., has long appreciated the key role that L.L.Bean has played in making this service a model alternative transportation system.

“Although we rely on many partners to fund operations each year, including the National Park Service and Maine Department of Transportation, all of our local funders really appreciate having L.L. Bean’s leadership to match and exceed their contributions to enable expanded bus operations," he said.

Information on the shuttle bus routes is available at area visitor centers, lodging establishments, at the Bar Harbor Village Green, and at www.exploreacadia.com.